Views from the Peak

Tahquitz Fire Lookout Tower

Back in the tower for a weekend of diligently looking for smoke or lightning strikes.

Although the volunteers are still focused on keeping their eyes focused on the wilderness, we are no longer able to give "tours" of this historic tower due to the pandemic.

However, you can still get your well-earned squirrel card for hiking 4 plus miles to Tahquitz Peak at 8,846 feet as long as you are willing to take the pledge of protecting our forest.

One change, you get your card by way of a fishing rod. Clever, eh?

Here is a view of our "home" away from home. The stove is a remnant from the past when the tower was occupied by paid staff. There has been a tower based on this site for over 100 years. When the ranger station reopens, you can purchase one of our local landmark mugs. The profit helps in purchasing extra supplies that we need like paint.

Red-tailed hawks, Cooper's Hawks, White-throated Swifts and Ravens are common birds seen soaring over the tower this time of year. Occasionally, we get lucky and see a Golden Eagle. Gliders have joined the feathered thermal riders.

 There are still beautiful majestic sites and towering trees to hike under in the forest on the way to the peak.

However, on the south and east-facing sides of the tower, one is quickly reminded of the destructive 2018 Cranston fire. The recovery of a forest from a severe widespread fire is extremely slow.

This is a scene none of us want to view! This is the smoke cloud from the Apple Fire on August 1st, one day after it started. The volunteers at Black Mountain Lookout tower, located to the left of the cloud on the small peak, were the first to detect this fire when it was only a few acres. Now, almost two weeks later, it has consumed 34,400 acres in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. If you or anyone you know is going camping in our wilderness, remind them campfires are not allowed to protect what remains.

I have this note posted on my refrigerator in gratitude for Richard, a complete stranger. On the way down from the tower, I injured my knee and could barely walk. This "trail angel" offered to carry my heavy pack 2 1/2 miles to the trailhead. Many, many thanks!

Not sure when I will be able to return to the tower but I am extremely motivated!

"The fact that we are alive is truly a miracle. We could say there is nothing special about it,
but when we are deeply aware of being alive in this moment, we see how wonderful it is."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
Click on photos to enlarge.